After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stroud's life gains new meaning when he happens upon a helpless baby sparrow in the exercise yard and nurses it back to health. Despite having only a third grade education, Stroud goes on to become a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind bars than most people find in the outside world.
Burt Lancaster
Karl Malden
Thelma Ritter
Neville Brand
Betty Field
Telly Savalas
Edmond O'Brien
Hugh Marlowe
Whit Bissell
Crahan Denton
James Westerfield
Robert Bailey
Nicky Blair
Mushy Callahan
James J. Casino